San Francisco, the first American metropolis (outside of the New York City company) to host an open-ended production of Stomp, celebrates the one-year anniversary of Luke Cresswell and Steve McNicholas' unique percussion show May 9 at the Marines Memorial Theatre. The production began previews May 2, 2000, opening on May 9.
Stomp is about banging things, but not in the traditional drumsticks-on-a-drum method. Everything from Zippo lighters to brooms to plungers, plastic bags and hubcaps make the music of Stomp. A winner of London's Olivier Award and New York's Obie and Drama Desk Awards, the one-time UK street performance has spawned five internationally touring companies, commercials, the Grammy-nominated album "Q's Jook Joint," an Academy Award-nominated short, "Brooms," and the Emmy Award-winning HBO special "Stomp Out Loud."
Since their kick-off in San Francisco, the Stomp company used over 1,000 brooms, 300 wooden poles, 500 garbage can lids and three kitchen sinks. All that percussion has left the dancers tired and hurt - they've gone through 300 Ace bandages and 300 ice packs.
Tickets to Stomp in San Francisco are $45-$25. The Marines Memorial Theatre is located at 609 Sutter Street. For reservations, call (877) 771-6900.
-- By Christine Ehren